Former Australia opener Matthew Hayden has shown his surprise over India captain Rohit Sharma’s decision to bowl first in the third Test in Brisbane on Saturday, December 14 as well. Hayden also added that India’s decision was solely based on overcast weather conditions as well.
He also believes the first two days will benefit the batters. Notably, Ajinkya Rahane-led India beat Australia while batting second when
they won by three wickets in Brisbane during the 2020-21 tour as well.

Hayden said on Star Sports (via India Today): “I was really surprised that actually, Rohit won the toss and decided to bowl, because I felt like it was over-prepared. I thought it was because of the how much weather. There were almost 12 inches of rain in the past two weeks. And so we’ve got this showery pattern and it’s been that way for a month and a bit.”

ALSO READ: Hardik Pandya shares happiness after winning back the love of fans

“So the groundsman would have been thinking, we’ve got to get our preparation in early, and that’s why I thought that it was gonna be as good a batting conditions as you’re gonna see now in these first two days, with the view that it will break up and, and turn,” he further added. “Little bit overcast and little bit of grass, looks a bit soft as well, want to make best use of the conditions.”

Meanwhile, Matthew Hayden also added that spinners would come into play because cracks usually open up after Day 2 in Brisbane as well.

“And we’ve seen some great performances from spinners across the world at this venue and, If we do get decent weather, and that’s the fingers crossed at est because of the reasons I just mentioned, there are cracks in the wicket. We just had days of, and in fact, one month of rain. The wicket was quite sluggish early, it will harden up a little bit, assuming that we do get the, the weather that, um, is typical of Queensland weather, which is perfect one day and even more perfect the next,” Matthew Hayden concluded.